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Dec 20, 2007
Peri Good Pood!!!
Ok, I'm not going to try and rant on about how brilliant the food is here. I've been a fan of Nando's since I first had it in 1996 at the O2 Shopping Center in London. I had eaten the x-hot version of the chicken there (which sadly isn't available here in India), and have consistently had the hottest available version each and every time I've been to Nando's ever since.
Ok reader, if you think that this place serves only tongue scorching, flame thrown food, it does, but for the not-so-adventurous, they do serve milder, tempered down versions of Portuguese delicacies spiked with the famous South African Peri-Peri (Bird's Eye Chili) Sauce.
4 degrees of 'Burn' available. Au contraire, my wife enjoys the toned down versions of the sauce with items on the menu.
As for me, I am a born masochist when it comes to food. I say...You only live once, so if you must go, GO WITH SATISFACTION!!! There is nothing better than losing a few tears and shedding some sweat while you tuck into a hot meal, sniffling away while you thrust the next piece of fiery chicken into your mouth (heh heh)!
This time too Nando's proved it's standards of world class hospitality when we went there for a meal while returning home from work by 9.30 or so (we work together, so more than often return home together as well). Had the usual beer (unfortunately they do not serve South African Beer...guys have you forgotten Castle Lager?) with the Peri-Peri Fries that are spicy and salty. Our Main course was off course bound to be the chargrilled chicken that I have grown so fond of over the years.
I have a habit of gorging on the bird first before I tuck into other accompaniments. Unfortunately for me, the accompanying rice (yellowed with turmeric) had a strand of hair (most probably human origin), which I noticed only after my first forkful. I pointed this to the steward who profusely apologised and took it away stating that it would be a few minutes.
I was put off this somewhat, but asked for the bill which did not arrive fro almost 5 minutes. The restaurant manager then walked upto our table and mentioned that it was only fair that we would NOT HAVE TO PAY for our meal owing to the goof up on their part. Somewhat taken aback, I asked for the rest of the bill and said that it was only fair that we at least pay up for what we had consumed without any issues. The good manager jokingly (however apologetically) stated that we were more than welcome to sit as long as we liked but would not be given our bill. In fact he more than profusely offered other options to make the experience a little less painful.
This pleasing experience is what prompted me to go ahead and write this review of a restaurant-chain that I have seriously grown to love and will still frequent as and when I'm in the mood for a meltdown.
P.S. All those who're off to the place after reading this to try and get some freebies, spare a thought for the most probably slightly-less-fortunate-than-you steward/chef who might lose some pay or a star in the process before doing so.
